The IOC DOW Carbon Action Award winners were announced on the 6th of November during the IF Forum IOC Sustainability Workshop 2020. This year a total of 20 organisations were recognised through this award the IFF being one of them.
This initiative between Dow and the IOC incentivises IFs and NOCs to plan and implement tangible climate actions in their operations. To be recognised, IFs and NOCs must be a part of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework (S4CA), which was launched by the IOC and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2018, and are expected to present detailed data on their carbon reduction plans, requiring them to better understand and measure their annual carbon footprint. The IFF signed the S4CA late 2019.
– We know that our sustainability programme is still in its infancy, but this recognition indicates that we are on the right path and gives us even more motivation to push forward. Further, with the new IFF strategy being submitted for approval at the General Assembly in December, this reinforces stronger inclusion of sustainability in the future, says IFF Secretary General John Liljelund.
In its 2020 edition 15 international federations and five National Olympic Committees received the award. The rewarded organisations are:
NOCs: The Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC), Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), British Olympic Association (BOA), Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) and Swiss Olympic Association (SUI).
Olympic IFs: The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA), Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS), World Rowing (FISA), International Biathlon Union (IBU), International Golf Federation (IGF), International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), International Skating Union (ISU), World Triathlon (ITU), Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), World Archery (WA), World Rugby (WR) and World Sailing (WS);
Recognised IFs: The International Floorball Federation (IFF) and Fédération Internationale de Sambo (FIAS).
Watch IOC DOW Carbon Action Award video:
As part of the recognition, the IFs and NOCs will receive carbon offsets to compensate their 2020 unavoidable residual emissions. These include a diverse set of climate solutions, from conserving ecosystems and avoiding deforestation to energy efficiency and renewable energy.
– We are honoured to receive this recognition. It also coincides with the launch of the World Floorball Championships 2022 event design and the delighting news of the LOC cooperation with myclimate to organise an event with minimal environmental effects, IFF Sales Coordinator Tero Kalsta rejoices.
The concrete measures implemented by the IFF include carbon emission compensations for staff travel in 2020, floorball equipment collection at major events (re-use and partial recycling), work in two of the S4CA working groups, being a catalyst in discussion between LOCs/sponsors and myclimate as well as advocacy to fight climate change.
Source & more information: IOC Press release
